Apatite (U-Th)/He thermochronometry: methods and applications to problems in tectonic and surface processes

In the last decade apatite (U-Th)/He thermochronometry has emerged as an important tool for quantifying the cooling history of rocks as they pass through the upper 1-3 km-of the crust. The low closure temperature of this technique (similar to70degreesC) has gained the interest of geomorphologists and tectonocists because it is applicable to interdisciplinary studies in landform evolution, structural geology, and geodynamics. We discuss current analytical techniques, the temperature calibration of the method, and sample quality considerations. Results from 1D, 2D and 3D thermo-kinematic numerical models are used to illustrate applications of He thermochronometry to problems in tectonics and landform evolution. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.